To attain this level of practice ─ to experience totality ─ is extremely difficult and a sign of progress. Many practitioners, including Buddhists, have shallow experiences of this nature. They feel a lightness or peace; they might believe that they are free from self-centeredness, but they still have attachments. This is why one needs the guidance of a good teacher.

Many practitioners misinterpret this kind of experience, which could, indeed, correspond to fairly elementary levels of attainment. For example, there are four fruition levels in the Hinayana tradition, but prior to this there are four preliminary levels: level of warmth, top level, level of wisdom, level of first in the world. Only after these four levels can someone enter the fruition levels, of which the fourth is the true arhat position. Many practitioners, Ch'an included, think they are already enlightened when in fact they have only experienced the first level of warmth.

STUDENT:

Is it possible to practice outside of Buddhism and experience no-self?

SHIH-FU:

No, it's impossible. Mo matter what path or practice you choose, you will have some attainment or expectation in your mind.

STUDENT:

Is it possible that such a person can practice without any idea of gain?

SHIH-FU:

Yes. Such a person would be called a pratyekabuddha ─ someone who becomes enlightened without the Buddha's teachings. But in the sutras it is said that it is only possible to be a pratyekabuddha in a world where there is no Buddhadharma.

STUDENT: